empty · false

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 虚 is read きょ, has 11 strokes, and relates to emptiness or falsity.
• Basic usage: 謙虚 is read けんきょ, and 虚しい is read むなしい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 謙虚 and 虚しい
  • 謙虚 means humble; this is the meaning of the complete compound 謙虚, not of 虚 alone.
  • 成功しても彼は謙虚な態度を崩さなかった。 means “He remained humble even after achieving success.”
  • 虚しい means empty or futile.
  • 努力が認められず虚しい気持ちになった。 means “I felt empty when my efforts went unrecognized.”